ZSR Recruiting: Associates at the Firm

Nature of Our Practice

Associates at the Firm

Summer Associate Assignments

We regard our selection of associates as a vital part of our commitment to growth and excellence. Every associate is viewed as a potential member of the partnership. The majority of our partners started as associates with the firm, and several of our members have spent all of their years of private practice at ZS&R. We expect a great deal of our associates and look to them to be self-motivating. In addition to the obvious factors we consider in the hiring and evaluation process, such as excellent writing, research and oral skills, we regard other qualities as equally important, including judgment, commitment, initiative, imagination, the ability to manage time effectively and good personal relations.

New associates become involved in a variety of projects from the beginning. We are not departmentalized, but instead we strive to give new associates exposure to all aspects of the firm's practice. Associates can expect substantial responsibility and client contact immediately, and are given the opportunity to work directly with senior partners.

In addition to two semi-annual reviews, the firm conducts an ongoing evaluation of each associate's individual projects and overall performance. In an effort to ensure open lines of communication and to provide associates with the greatest opportunity to succeed in the firm, each new associate is assigned an unofficial "mentor," one of our partners who acts as an informal advisor, providing guidance on matters ranging from firm policy and administration to the handling of difficult legal issues. The mentor also acts as a liaison between the new associate and members of the firm, providing feedback and encouragement. Partnership decisions normally are made in the seventh to ninth year of employment.

Our summer associate program is integral to our long-term growth plan and is the focus of our recruiting effort. We view the summer associate program as our primary source of entry-level associates. The summer program is designed both to give students a broad exposure to our practice and to enable the firm to undertake an in-depth evaluation of the student's capabilities. Accordingly, we endeavor to give each summer associate the opportunity to work with as many of the firm's lawyers and in as many different practice areas as possible. The firm also tries to give each summer associate a mix of assignments of varying complexity and which call on different skills. A committee of partners and associates is responsible for directing the summer associate program and for providing feedback and guidance. In addition, each summer associate is assigned a "mentor" for more informal assistance.

Salaries are fully competitive with those of other Washington firms of comparable size. We also provide an attractive package of fringe benefits covering vacations, sick and parental leave, health, life and disability insurance, and retirement. The firm encourages associates to maintain and improve their skills through a variety of continuing legal education programs. The firm is an equal opportunity employer and is a signatory to the D.C. Metropolitan Area Law Firms and Corporate Legal Departments Policy Statement Regarding Minority Hiring and Retention.